“We need a second goalie next year,’’ Poile said. “That’s something I’ve got to do either via trade or free agency.’’

In a follow-up to that answer later on, Poile said he didn’t mean to rule out the possibility of Mark Dekanich or Chet Pickard making the jump from the AHL to the NHL next season.

“I shouldn’t have just excluded (them) like that,’’ Poile said. “We definitely could do that. It’s a little bit of a comparison to see who’s available by trade or on July 1st, who signs where. But (promoting from within) is a definite possibility. I don’t want to rule that out.’’

Ellis is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but the possibility exists that the Preds could trade him first, giving another team the chance to sign him before July 1. That’s what the Preds did Saturday with defenseman Dan Hamhuis.

“It’s tough – how many trades have you seen like that?’’ Poile said. “You have to find the right buyer and … there are a lot of goalies out there. But I may be trying that.’’